Long Enough to Take It In...

"There is a very real sense in which the ambition of art simply consists in the valiant effort to seize some small piece of the world and to hold it still long enough for us to take it in."

• Cameron McAllister

"Weeds are flowers too,

once you get to know them."

• A.A. Milne

Finally got another page filled in my nature journal! It was a workout on a less-than-optimal day, but also amazing to study these details of one of God's creations up close.

Greenhouse Season Shows Progress

It is greenhouse season! 

I can see how far God has brought me in my healing journey by tackling this complex season each year.

• Stamina is increasing!

• Mental clarity is returning!

• The ability to shrug things off and bounce back is re-growing!

• Smiles come more naturally! 

• Chemical scents are only occasionally noticed!

• Pain and weakness are slower to notice and don't keep me down as long!

• Enjoyment is rising! 

• I am thankful...

~ Hannah

Charlotte Mason Companion: Children are Hungry Creatures

Finished! This book was my companion through many hours of solo noon meals. As you can tell by my page markers, there are several bits I want to go back and review from Karen Andreola's "Charlotte Mason Companion."

Maybe more quotes will find their way into future posts. But for now here is one from Mrs. White living high in the French Alps in the 1950's:

"Charlotte Mason tells us that children are hungry creatures. Not only wholesome food for their bodies is required: their minds demand and digest an incredibly large amount and variety of knowledge. So what happens if good food for the mind is not available? Surely they absorb whatever there is, unwholesome as it may be: wretchedly-written books, comic strips, unsuitable television programmes, newspaper headlines, backdoor gossip, etc. Isn't this an explanation of the aimlessness and the wrongly-directed activities of some of our brave new young?

"How sad it is to find people who cannot read. Not that they are illiterate, but that they are incapable of sustaining interest in any literature above the level of the glossy magazines..."

A Favorite Biography | John Flynn

The last book I finished is one of my favorite biographies to date! If any of the below topics interest you, make sure to read "John Flynn" by Janet & Geoff Benge!

In fact, read it even if you aren't into them... because I loved learning about topics in which I had no particular interest before!

Among other things, John Flynn can be described as:

• Teacher and Mentor

• First Aid Lecturer in the Outback

• Travel Photographer and Presenter

• Struggling Student

• Minister

• Patrol Padre for the Outback 

• Clinic Builder 

• Mission Founder

• Map maker 

• Wireless Radio Visionary 

• Founder of the Royal Flying Doctor Service

• Australian Delegate to the First International 

  Congress on Aerial Medical Services 

• World Traveler

• Fictionalized Hero

• Honorary Doctorate x2

• Lobbyist

• Moderator General

• Awarded the Order of the British Empire

• Tireless Advocate for those cut off in the interior of Australia

Australia's Prime Minister described John this way: "Dr. Flynn possessed two qualities seldom found in one man. He had vision and the executive ability to get things done. He was a modern apostle Paul."

Why You Are Where You Are

Do you ever feel like you were born in the wrong time or place or just wish your circumstances were different?

Why would God have put you here and let you face all this? As Joni Tada says in her new devotional book, "The Practice of the Presence of Jesus":

"The answer is in Acts 17:26-27:

'From one man he made every nation of men... and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.' (NIV84)

"There's no mistaking: God placed you in this century, in this country, in your family, and with your friends for a specific purpose. He arranged the optimal circumstances and put you with the ideal individuals to cause you to seek Jesus, reach out for him, and find him.

"And be encouraged, for Jesus says, 'You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart' (Jeremiah 29:13).

"How do your circumstances and people around you make you reach out to Jesus?"

~ Joni Eareckson Tada

Music Therapy

What do the 19th Century Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg and the famous Baroque George F. Handel have in common? They are both a part of my healing journey! 

For years I hardly had strength to sit at the piano, let alone get eyes to focus and brain to signal fingers with any accuracy and speed. Getting back to the piano has been very off and on these latter years. It still takes a lot of strength that is often needed elsewhere instead.

But when I do give the time and strength, the harmonies welling out of my 100+ year old 7-foot Baldwin are a balm to my whole being! (Especially the bass notes which don't seem affected by the cracked and patched sound board.)

What activity do you find healing that is worth the extra effort some days?

~ Hannah

How Lawn Work is So Exciting!

What you see in these pictures was impossible through most of the past decade of chronic illness. I wasn't strong enough to sit up like this for years.

Even a year ago my legs were too weak to keep the lawn-tractor pedals pressed and my brain too overwhelmed to keep up with the steering.

And though I still have a long way to go, this shows me that I have come a long way in one year of rewiring my brain. I'm not stopping!

Even though it takes a lot of work and perseverance through all the ups and downs of healing, I never could have reached this point with only all the supplements, medications, protocols, and avoidance methods I was using to survive the 9 years prior.

Want to learn more about Brain Rewiring? Check out these accounts:

Instagram: @healing.chronic.hannah

Facebook page: Brain Rewiring for LIFE

YouTube: @BrainRewiringforLIFE

~ Hannah

An April 1st Outing

This year we revived an old tradition of having a family outing the Monday after Easter. Though feeling less-than-optimal, we were also stir-crazy and needed a change. 

Destination?!

The headwaters of the Mississippi River!

Dad and I were even able to cross it for the first time in years as new stones have been added that are not yet wet and slimy.

And of course Elsa and I got our toes in the icy water! (Much of Lake Itasca was still frozen.)

We spent the day wandering the park, enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, trees, birds, and squirrels!

Preacher's Grove has lost much of its charm since they force guests to stay on a path and let undergrowth fill the once-clear forest floor. But the view upward is still amazing!

There are so many great memories for our family over this bridge in the historic Clubhouse, and down the hill to the lakeshore and boardwalk to the Old Timer's Cabin built by the CCC.

Before heading home, we all relaxed on the sunny fishing pier and then found another little lake at the edge of the park as our view during a van-picnic.

So many gifts in one day!

Brain Rewiring Newsletter & Encouraging Phone Wallpapers

 I have only mentioned Brain Rewiring a few times on this blog, but it is still a daily focus in this healing journey. So much so that I am just starting a newsletter for those who are interesting in learning more about healing the Limbic System and lowering the Chronic Stress Response from a Biblical perspective. 

This monthly [at most] offering contains:
- Mindset & Brain Rewiring Tips
- Biblical Encouragement
- Free Phone Wallpaper Download

You are welcome to sign up here: Hannah's Newsletter

As it says at the above link: 

Nearly a decade into her chronic illness journey, Hannah was led to Brain Rewiring to begin to heal her Limbic System which was stuck in the Chronic Stress Response. Due to the intricate brain/body connection, this focus on healing at deeper levels is having positive physical impacts and helping Hannah get back to LIFE!